Julie Harper, who was convicted of killing her husband Jason, was denied a reduction in her 40 year to life sentence in a Vista on Wednesday,(Photo by K.C. Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Julie Harper, who was convicted of killing her husband Jason, was denied a reduction in her 40 year to life sentence in a Vista on Wednesday,(Photo by K.C. Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)

A woman who fatally shot her husband in their Carlsbad home as their children watched cartoons six years ago lost her bid Wednesday to have 25 years cut from her sentence.

Instead, Vista Superior Court Judge Blaine Bowman decided to keep Julie Harper’s sentence at 40 years to life, the same term he handed her in early 2016 after a jury found her guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Jason Harper.

Harper’s sentencing reconsideration came after a recent change in state law that allows judges more discretion as to whether a defendant should serve extra time for using a gun in the crime. In Harper’s case, her use of a gun added a mandatory 25 years to her sentence.

Had Bowman agreed to overlook the use of a gun, Harper’s sentence would have dropped to 15 years to life, which is the standard sentence for second-degree murder.

Bowman said he had given the case “a great deal of thought,” and ultimately put “great weight on one factor.”

“The court believes that Jason Harper would still be alive today without the introduction of a gun in this case,” the judge said, adding that the use of a gun is “very impersonal. All it takes is pulling of a trigger.”

Bowman also said it gave him “no joy in imposing such a harsh sentence.”

The killing came during a mid-morning argument in the couple’s home in a gated community on Aug. 7, 2012. The couple’s marriage was failing, and Julie Harper had recently filed for divorce.

At trial, Julie Harper testified that her 6-foot, 7-inch tall husband came at her as they argued. She said she grabbed her small handgun — a Derringer — from under her pillow and fired it accidentally but in fear of her life.

The bullet entered through the back of his left side and pierced his heart. He was 39 years old, and a popular math teacher and volleyball coach at Carlsbad High School.

Their children, then-ages 8, 6, and 1, were downstairs watching television at the time.

She did not call 911, but instead left the home with the children, who were unaware of what had happened. She sought a babysitter, eventually made arrangements to drop them with her sister, and then ditched the gun, which has not been found.

In court, her attorney Gloria Collins — a former prosecutor — argued that the shooting occurred during “disintegrating marriage,” that Harper suffered from a painful arthritic condition, and from the side effects that her prescription medication (which included opioids) had on her cognition and behavior.

Before reimposing the lengthy sentence, Bowman heard from Jason Harper’s 77-year-old mother, who along with her husband is raising the three children, now ages 15, 12, and 7.

“Jason should have easily lived to be in his 80s, but a gun was used to rob him of his life,” Lina Harper said in court Wednesday. “In no way should his killer be free any sooner than the number of years she took from him.”

Deputy District Attorney Keith Watanabe read letters from the children, each of whom asked that the judge maintain the lengthy sentence.

Julie Harper also spoke, telling Bowman her “remorse has deepened” with the understanding of “how expansive the damage has been.”

“Today, I am asking you for hope and mercy,” she said.

She said her failing marriage, troubled health and other factors combined to create “the perfect storm.”

After hearing from the Harper family, as well as from Julie Harper and her father, Bowman told Harper she had “left a trail of destruction and broken hearts behind you when you killed your husband.”